You just got that pristine trawler or motor yacht and you are anxious to get her underway to move her home. You have been running around for what feels like weeks getting everything ready. Groceries, beverages, clothing, the list goes on and on. What if you forget something?

To assist you in remembering everything, here is a simple check list with almost everything you will require to get underway.

Navigation - Make sure to have paper charts on your vessel and that you know how to read them; you never know when your chart plotter will elect to give up on you.

Maptech Chart Kit

Dozier's Waterway Guide

Set of binoculars

Current flare kit

First aid kit

Proper dock lines

Proper fenders

Laptop with air card

Handheld VHF

Flashlight

Mechanical - It is critical to have spare parts on board. They may be challenging (if not impossible) to acquire on your trip home. You might be anchored out in the middle of nowhere and need a substitute component.

Biobore diesel fuel additive

Deck fill key to open fuel/water fill ports

Bridle if chain rode

25 foot dock line

2 stainless steel shackles (1 extra)

2 sets of pliers (1 spare)

Bleach to sanitize water tanks, 1 tsp/10 gallons

water

Mask and flippers

Fuel filters

Extra impellors for engines

Spare bilge pump

Standby bilge pump float switch

Standby fresh water pump

Spare air conditioning water pump

Oil absorbent pads

Rags

Tools - sockets, wrenches, screw drivers

Lubricants, WD-40, Corrosion Block

Engine oil

Coolant

Propane if boat so equipped

Lighter

Fill fuel tanks

Outboard gasoline

Outboard 2-cycle oil if needed

Muriatic acid if heads use salt water to flush

Provisions - Make it a point to buy enough to last the complete journey home; you don't know if you will have access to a food market, especially if you are in the Bahamas.

Food

Drinks

Beer or liquor if so desired

Cups

Glasses

Pots and pans

Silverware

Dish soap

Trash bags

Galley towels

Napkins/paper towels

Bath towels

Sheets

Bath soap

Toilet paper

Fill water tanks

Coffee maker/coffee

Personal Items - Take more apparel than you expect to use. You never know if you will get wet because of an unexpected squall.

Clothes

Deck shoes

Hats

Sunglasses

Rain gear

Cash for tipping dock help

Digital camera

You now must discover a space to store everything so it will not clutter your vessel or fall down if you happen to be in rough seas. You also need to inspect all systems to make certain they are working correctly and that all engines have proper fluid amounts. Next you need to map your journey home which means sitting down with charts and computing how far to cruise each day. Dozier's Waterway Guide is a tremendous help in finding marinas and things to do in the local vicinity. You may also choose to anchor out on the trip home. Be sure your generator is running well and that its fluids are topped off also. It will be time to get a good night's sleep in preparation for your first day underway in your new trawler.

The captain will operate the boat and his first mate will assist with navigation and line handling. The first mate should study the paper charts while the captain keeps his eye on the chart plotter. It is crucial to have paper charts on your yacht; electronics inevitably will quit at some point in time.

When pulling into a marina for the evening, dock hands will aid you with your lines and electrical connections. It is customary to tip a minimum of $5.00 per dock hand for their help.

After a short period of time, you will become used to the way your boat runs and feels. Docking will also come naturally after some practice. Your trawler or motor yacht will become so familiar to you that the slightest weird noise or smell will alert you to a problem.

Mike Dickens, the author, is a live aboard boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA.